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The Wine Makers – Podere Le Ripi Winery, Sophia Quercioli

·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Hosts pour an orange wine while welcoming Sophia Quercioli from a biodynamic winery in Montalcino.

This episode features host John Myers and local wine experts Sam Couture, Bart Hanson, and Brian Casey interviewing Sophia Quercioli from Podere Le Ripi winery in Montalcino. The conversation centers on the winery's unique architectural and viticultural projects. Quercioli represents a notable biodynamic estate in the southeast part of the Montalcino region. The panel discusses the winery's remarkable cellar, constructed from 750,000 bricks by a team of eight people over four years. They explore the property's history, noting its establishment around 1998 or 1999. A primary topic is the "bonsai vineyard," a high-density planting initiated in 2005. Quercioli confirms Francesco Illi as the owner of the estate. The hosts express particular excitement about understanding the design and purpose of the massive brick cellar. They inquire about the reasoning behind the extreme planting density in the bonsai vineyard. The discussion likely delves into the practical and philosophical aspects of biodynamic farming at Podere Le Ripi. One interesting insight is the sheer scale of manual labor, quantified as eight people working for four years, dedicated solely to the cellar's construction. The concept of a "bonsai" vineyard suggests an unusual, intensive approach to vine cultivation aimed at quality over quantity. The episode promises technical details on winemaking within a uniquely built environment. The tone is conversational, enthusiastic, and educational, with hosts sharing a pour of an orange wine at the start. The style is interview-based, driven by the experts' curiosity about a specific producer's methods. Listeners interested in biodynamic viticulture, Italian wine, and innovative winery architecture will love this episode. Those seeking broad industry news or casual tasting notes might prefer to skip it.

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